So Ruby was pretty up front about it when U.S. District Judge Irene Berger asked him this evening for another estimate. Ruby and Judge Berger agreed his track record on such predictions wasn’t very good.

But it does seem as if the prosecution is wrapping up. Tomorrow morning, they are expected to call their last witness, lead FBI Special Agent Jim Lafferty, to the stand. Ruby said the direct examination of Lafferty should be completed by late morning or early afternoon — then, of course, the defense will get to cross-examine the agent.

Defense lawyers could be starting their case as early as Thursday — depending on exactly how Judge Berger handles the defense motion for a judgment of acquittal that lead defense lawyer Bill Taylor is expected to make before opening his case.

Aside from today’s courtroom action (see the updates here, here and here), there were some new court filings today:

— Defense lawyers, meanwhile, filed a “proffer” to explain to the court testimony that they believe they would have presented if Berger had allowed them to re-cross examine prosecution witness Bill Ross, a former Massey Energy ventilation expert.